10th May 2020, Kathmandu
The government of Nepal has announced the ease of lockdown except for the Information Technology Industry.
The Nepal government has decided to ease the lockdown for certain industries. Economists and businesspersons say while they understand Covid-19’s danger to public health, the economy cannot be in lockdown forever.
Prolonged lockdown measures have caused hardships, especially for wage earners.
Factories, Manufacturing companies, Banks, Insurance companies, and other listed industries, under proper measures, can start resuming their operations.
On the other hand, the Communication Industry along with the Mobile phone market will remain closed as per the information published by the authorities. Mobile phone markets can be crowded, and the health concerns there have made the government keep these operations closed as of now.
The government has also suspended the industries related to information technology including software, hardware, data processing, and outsourcing until further orders from the government.
Despite the ban for communication services, the government has allowed repair and maintenance for Internet services. Likewise, service providers can get permission for the use of transportation for the maintenance of internet connections.
The market places where crowds gather also can’t operate as of now. Commercial malls, Non-food shopping centers, and mobile markets are still the victim of the lockdown.
Concerns over the economy
Numerous countries across the world have imposed lockdowns, full or partial, as a primary precautionary measure against the virus.
But several countries are now mulling ways to ease the lockdown, given the extreme economic costs of shutting down entire economies. Experts and businesspersons in Nepal are following suit, saying that the government needs to start working on plans. They believe that the government needs to introduce guidelines for operating businesses in a relaxed lockdown.
No one knows when the pandemic will come under complete control, but the economy cannot remain in lockdown forever, they say.
Puspa Raj Kandel, vice chairman of the National Planning Commission suggested that the government gradually relax the lockdown, starting from the agriculture sector.
Major economic centers such as Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and Hetauda can be partially lifted. These areas have not reported any heavy effects of the virus. Experts show concern for the economy and the government should start taking measures to avoid damage beyond repair.
There had been discussions to mark the districts as red, yellow, and green zones had been going on tentatively in Nepal, but the high-level committee for the prevention and control of Covid-19 during its Tuesday meeting dropped the idea, saying it’s not feasible.
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